NFPA Survey Reveals Most Skilled Trade Workers Use Digital Tools Daily

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) surveyed 336 industry professionals at the NFPA 2023 Conference & Expo, the premier conference for fire, electrical and life safety. The research findings below reveal insights around trends and attitudes on digital transformation, training and educational programs. 

Surveys went to US- and international-based workers, 18-years and older in the electrical, manufacturing, construction, engineering, architect/design, facility maintenance, fire service, and insurance/risk management fields to determine findings of this industry research. The survey was conducted in-person June 19-21, 2023 at the conference.

Eight in 10 respondents reported using digital tools on the job every day, with 43% using one to two tools daily, 26% using three to five, and 11% using more than five tools. For those using digital solutions, the benefits are integral to the job: 24% cited computers, tablets, phones, or NFPA LiNK as technologies and tools they can’t live without.

Asked to identify obstacles within the design and build process, 29% of respondents cited collaboration (up from 22% in the NFPA 2023 Industry Trends Survey) as a top challenge, while 23% cited access to resources. Luckily, the value provided by digital tools is helping address top industry challenges, as 61% saw increased collaboration and streamlined processes as a result of implementing digital tools/devices into their workflows.

There is room for improvement in terms of integrating technology into daily job functions, with one-third of respondents admitting they have not implemented digital tools in their daily workflows. As well, 42% report they are spending less on new tools, including digital ones, as a result of economic uncertainty.

Sixty-six percent of respondents said their organizations offer training and development programs to employees at least twice a year, while 54% reported participating in at least two trainings per year.

Where trainings are offered, live or on-demand virtual formats are the most popular (66 percent), followed by onsite sessions (31%). Respondents listed the following as top benefits of digital-first training:

The implementation of training still faces barriers: More than one-fourth (26%) of respondents reported they are reducing budget allocated to training and development. Respondents also noted a lack of time to participate in training (67%), inaccessible pricing (53%), and trouble determining the right program (46%) as top challenges for training and development.